On Thursday and Friday, thirty local community leaders and organizers have the privilege of attending a well-known, educational Economic Development Course. Participants are excited to have this rare opportunity to learn how to help the community work toward growth and improvement for local citizens, businesses and industries.... Read more

The Searcy Leadership Institute is now taking applications through August 25th. The Searcy Leadership Institute (SLI) offers a unique leadership course providing the opportunity to open doors for local business men and women and community leaders who have the desire and ability to shape the future of their community.... Read more

Hays 2 The Second Generation is holding their Ribbon Cutting Event on Friday August 4th at 4:00 p.m. Doors opened at their new store on Saturday, July 8th. They are inviting the public to come celebrate with them on Friday!... Read more

Currently manufacturing industries in our region and all around the state are experiencing a skills gap when hiring new workers. The industries are struggling with workforce availability and readiness. They have a great need to hire more people within their businesses, but those individuals applying do not meet the basic entry level needs of the industries.... Read more

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”... Read more

The Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to have host a special pre-event to the Business EXPO featuring prominent business and political icon Roby Brock. Brock is widely known for his work in the state of Arkansas for well over 17 years. He is author, host and Editor in Chief at Talk Business and Politics, and the Founder and President of River Rock Communications. He is an award-winning journalist receiving the 2000 Society of Journalists Award and the U.S. Small Business Award in 2009.... Read more

Sometimes it is hard to see from a different point of view. Especially if you’ve experienced things from one perspective for a long period of time. Seeing Searcy as a location for tourism may sound unlikely at first, but the truth is tourism is on the rise here. Tourism is up in the state of Arkansas as a whole. In fact, tourism has continued to increase every year since 2012. According to Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism 2016-2017 Annual Report, we have an increase in state tourism dollars of 32.7% during that five-year span.... Read more

The academy introduces students entering grades seventh through ninth grades to all facets of the manufacturing industry through hands-on activities and simulationbased learning. The participants will also travel to industry locations for on-site interaction with manufacturers. The academy is free of charge, with breakfast and lunch provided each day.... Read more

State of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce... Read more

Attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is a critical function of economic development today.... Read more

State of the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation... Read more

Thank you! Sometimes we just don’t say it enough, and sometimes we just need to hear it. So, Thank you! Thank you for working local, shopping local, eating local, playing local, and all the other wonderful things you do in our town. Everybody is working hard at something. Working hard to earn money, working hard to earn their degree, working hard to meet fitness goals, or even just working hard to enjoy some down time! Whatever you are working hard toward, thank you! Thank you for choosing Searcy and the surrounding areas!... Read more

Written by Joshua Wright, Director of Marketing and PR, Emsi. Published in Area Development Site and Facility Planning Magazine in the Q2 2017 edition.
For years, manufacturing executives have contended — in survey after survey and media story after media story — that they can’t find the talent they need to maintain and grow their operations. On the other side, academics and economics writers like Ben Casselman of FiveThirtyEight have argued that there’s “scant evidence” for a skills shortage in manufacturing.... Read more

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., has added a provision to the 2017 transportation budget that will designate U.S. 67, from North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge, as the future Interstate 57. The designation will help economic development along the more than 120-mile route, and could bolster the economy in Northeast Arkansas, Boozman said.

Written by George Jarod, June 2, 2017. Arkansas Business.... Read more

Arkansas health and life insurance providers, Tiger Insurance Agency and Southerland Insurance, team up to provide an enhanced level of excellence.... Read more

Written by Sarah Campbell-Miller of Arkansas Business on June 5, 2017. Campbell-Miller covers the International Economic Development Council's annual Economic Future Forum in Little Rock.... Read more

We recently celebrated Father's Day, which means mothers, wives and children were on the lookout for the perfect gift for their father figure. Whether you’re shopping for a Father's Day or any other holiday or birthday gift, remember to keep your search local.... Read more

I know there are lots of people who are diabetics and they are some people that don't know that they are diabetic.  This walk is to support diabetes.  Please join us.  We are looking for team leaders, vendors, sponsors and donations.... Read more

By Warren A. Stephens
Wall Street Journal... Read more

AK Industrial Contractors was selected at the Medium Manufacturer at the 2017 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade.... Read more